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Solutions in Your Community
Anne Arundel County UME Newsletter
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April 2022
Dear Friends and Clients,
Welcome SPRING -- FINALLY ??
I guess every year we complain about climate in Maryland, but this year Mother Nature seems more fickle than ever! We have had rain, snow, hail and everything in between, sometimes all in one day! I am glad to say that maybe, just maybe, we have moved a few steps closer to real spring and summer!
We would like to welcome our new Master Gardener Coordinator, Rachel Carey! Rachel is a UMD graduate with a degree in Biology, who just happens to love plants and horticulture! Her assignment also includes Home Horticulture. The Master Gardeners have been gearing up for spring these past few weeks and have already provided grooming and planting around the farm. Look for Rachel outside with them!
Do you know that there is a new Anne Arundel-Prince George's Farm/Urban Garden Work group that has been formed? Dave Myers, the Agriculture Agent in Anne Arundel County has organized the group to evaluate opportunities in the urban area of both counties. For more info and to get involved, call Dave at the office.
Congrats to 4-H members who participated in the recent State 4-H Public Speaking Contest! Great job, 4-Hers!
Best regards.
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Karol Westelinck Dyson
Area Extension Director
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Ask-a-Master Gardener Plant Clinics
The Ask-a-Master Gardener Plant Clinics started in April. The Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners conduct plant clinics in various locations in the county. Master Gardeners will be available to answer horticultural questions in an effort to teach sound, sustainable practices. Click here to learn more.
Office closures:
May 30: Memorial Day
July 4: Independence Day
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Let’s Give Anne Arundel County Farmers a Chance to Feed Us
R. David Myers, Agent
Agriculture & Natural Resources
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Could the farmers in Anne Arundel County feed the citizens of Anne Arundel County? What would it take? Farmers are certainly capable, according to USDA Economic Research Service, from 1948 to 2017; total farm output almost tripled though total labor hours worked in the farm sector declined more than 80 percent. During the same period, average annual agricultural output grew at a rate of 1.53 percent per year while farm inputs remained flat. If we called upon our farmers to just produce the staples for us, what would the agricultural footprint look like to feed 590,336 residents of Anne Arundel County? | |
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According to the 2017 Ag census, our Anne Arundel County farmers are currently operating 390 farms comprised of a total of 27,003 acres. We would have to ask our farmers to use the latest agricultural science to attain the highest yields, while maintaining soil health and protecting the environment. Based upon USDA’s per capita annual consumption for a daily 2000 calorie diet, we would each request: 65 lbs. of chicken; 55 lbs. of beef; 45 lbs. of pork and 16 lbs. of seafood; 131 lbs. of wheat; 36 lbs. of corn; 35 gals of dairy; 50 lbs. of potatoes; 31 lbs. of tomatoes; 9 lbs. of onions; and 70 lbs. of fruit. We also consume 132 lbs. of sugar or sweeteners; we might have to give them up for a while.
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We would ask our farmers to build 116 chicken houses on 60 acres to produce six flocks per year with 23,000 bids per flock to provide 38,371,840 lbs. of boneless chicken. Since it would take more land in the county then we have to raise the beef and pork, we will not ask. Our watermen would not be able to meet our request for 9,445,360 lbs. of seafood either; seafood becomes a luxury like beef and pork. We would ask our farmers to grow 17,185 acres of wheat, 2,138 acres of corn for us, and an additional 9,520 acres of corn to feed the chickens. We would ask our farmers to grow 730 acres of potatoes; 366 acres of tomatoes; 132 acres of onions; and an additional 1000 acres of other vegetables. Our annual fruit request would also become a luxury food item; but we would ask our farmers for 600 acres of fruit anyway. We would need 6,880 dairy cows to meet our milk, butter, cheese, ice-cream and yogurt requests; unfortunately, dairy products also become a luxury; maybe the family cow would return.
Our farmers can certainly feed us, but over development and reckless land use are making it less likely each year. Food security is up to us by saving a place for farming in every county in America. Let’s give the Anne Arundel County farmers a chance to feed us.
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Marylanders Encouraged to Keep a Lookout
for this Invasive Pest
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If you suspect you have found a spotted lanternfly or their egg masses, snap a picture of it and then smash it. Report the sighting with photo attachments and location information to the Maryland Department of Agriculture at: DontBug.MD@maryland.gov.
Dead samples of spotted lanternfly from any life stage can be sent to the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection and Weed Management Program at 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401.
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Join Anne Arundel County 4-H | |
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Did you visit the Anne Arundel County Fair this year? Did you wonder what in the world 4-H is all about? Do you have children between 8 and 18 or know someone who does? If so, it's easy to learn more! Visit our website or email the the Anne Arundel County 4-H office at gsumbrum@umd.edu."4-H makes the best better!"
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Become an Anne Arundel County Master Gardener | |
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Interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Master Gardeners are a group of gardening enthusiasts who are passionate about gardening, education, and volunteering in their community. The curriculum is presented by University of Maryland Extension faculty and trained Master Gardeners.
Click here for more information.
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Our Agronomy Experts are Here to Help | |
When our offices are closed, we are still working to provide assistance.
- Call or email us: We continue to answer questions and conduct field research to deliver the resources you need.
- Field visits: If needed and following social distancing protocol, we continue to conduct on-site field visits for diagnosis of production issues.
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Online Resources: We are expanding online learning available at the websites below. Find online pesticide and nutrient voucher recertification here: Upcoming programs
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Healthy Eating - Old Fashioned Fruit Crumble | |
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3 cups plums or peaches, washed and sliced
1 Tablespoon sugar
4 Tablespoons flour
3 Tablespoons orange juice
1 cup oats
3 Tablespoons nuts, chopped
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Pinch of cinnamon
Cooking oil spray
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 8x8 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Combine fruit with sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and orange juice. Pour fruit mixture into pan. Combine oats, nuts, brown sugar, remaining 2 Tablespoons flour, cinnamon and vegetable oil. Stir to combine and sprinkle over the fruit mixture. Bake until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
Source: extension.umd.edu/programs/family-consumer-sciences/snap-ed/eat-smart
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Agriculture & Natural Resources
Dave Myers, Principal Agent
myersrd@umd.edu or 410-222-3906
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Nutrient Management
Catherine Oberfield, Nutrient Management Advisor
catoberf@umd.edu or 410-222-3906
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Master Gardener Program
Rachel Carey, Horticulture Agent/Master Gardener Coordinator
careyr@umd.edu or 410-222-3906
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed)
LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate
lcolema4@umd.edu or 410-222-3903
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